For many students, turning 18 can bring the excitement of newfound freedoms-like buying a lottery ticket or booking a hotel room independently. But for one local senior, reaching this milestone has unlocked something more significant: the right to vote.
This year, the Oregon ballots are filled with decisions that could potentially shape the future of our state as well as how we vote. As one of only five states using ranked choice voting, Oregon is addressing issues like homelessness, affordable housing, as well as proposing policies such as taxing large corporations to fund rebates for all Oregon citizens.
Just one day after his birthday on Nov. 5, Leon Megna, a senior at Milwaukie Academy of the Arts, will proudly head to the mailbox and cast his first-ever vote. As this year’s election approaches, he’s one of many young voters who will help shape both the national landscape and our local future. With critical issues and candidates on the ballot, this election is a powerful reminder of the impact that every vote can have.
For him, voting isn’t just a right, it’s a powerful way to step into adulthood and start making a difference. When he was asked what voting the day after his birthday means, his response was simple: “That’s a big thing for me, because for a long time, I’ve had a lot of personal issues where I wasn’t in control of a lot of things in my life. So finally being able to be like, ‘No, I’m doing this because I don’t have to have any other influences, this is my decision.’ ”
Leon also says he considers a diversity of perspectives as essential in a democracy.
“A lot of kids our age are so caught up with this idea that, ‘they don’t have the same opinion as me, so I don’t like them.’ I feel like that’s not really realistic, usually with the way society is you’re gonna be around people that don’t have a thing in common. Especially in America.” Leon’s reflection speaks to the challenges young voters face, as well as the importance of interacting with those who think differently.
While Mr. Torres teaches at Adrienne C. Nelson High School, his insights reflect the experiences of young voters across the NCSD district — some of whom are preparing to vote for the first time. Alexeeff Torres is a teacher at Adrienne C. Nelson High School who has taught Government, US and World History, as well as English. When he was asked what he thinks motivates students to vote, his response was “I think students are motivated a lot by what their families are motivated by. It depends on what they think is most important for them. For some, it might be the economy, how the unemployment rate is, how the inflation rate is. For others, it might be about human rights, like what’s going on in Gaza and Palestine, and so on. So if you’re a family that has a different point of view, then that might influence the way you want to vote.”
His advice is, “Think outside of your comfort zone. Your parents are great, but sometimes you have to think independently. Think about it critically, think about making those decisions based on what you are able to gather and find out for yourself. Do the research ” He acknowledges the significance of a person’s community and the influence of the people around them, but also emphasizes the importance of being critical and true to yourself when you vote.
It is a common matter for young voters to feel influenced by their peers. According to the 2024 Harvard Youth Poll, (a semi-annual poll of over 2,000 people ages 18 to 29, conducted by the Harvard Public Opinion Project) “4 in 5 young Americans vote when their friends do so.” This shows the influence a person’s community has on their actions.
As young voters like Leon step into the role of citizens with a voice in Oregon’s future, they represent a generation shaped by diverse perspectives and newfound independence. According to the 2022 Youth Voter Turnout, Oregon is one of few states with the highest percentage of eligible youth voters. (CIRCLE 2022).
To cast a vote that will align with the changes you wish to be implemented, it is essential to look at different sources and perspectives. Staying informed is key, and voters can rely on reputable sites like official government resources (e.g., vote.gov for federal information or oregon.gov for state-specific details). Additionally, unbiased platforms such as Vote411, Ballotpedia, Vote.org, FactCheck.org, and ProCon.org all offer insights on candidates, ballot measures, and issues.
Leon, who turns 18 just one day before the election, says he feels a mix of excitement and responsibility.
“Every vote counts. It’s like every interaction you have with somebody matters to that person, even if it’s very small interactions. Voting is kind of like that. Even if you have a small impact in the long run, it still matters. And you should still do it, like you should still be kind to people.” Each vote, as Leon reminds us, carries the power of small actions that collectively drive change — just as every individual act of kindness and every new perspective builds a stronger, more inclusive community.
Want to exercise your right to vote? In Oregon if you are at least 16 years old, you can pre register to vote.
For those ready to register for future elections, simply search for ‘Oregon Online Voter Registration’ to get started – Or visit Oregon.gov to learn more.